In your town: What's happening in your community

Mar. 8, 2013

REGION

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Disaster Recovery Centers are open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays Mondays through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. To find the nearest center, text DRC and a ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA), and a text message will be sent back with the address. You also can visit www.fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

Training sessions on FEMA’s flood elevation map revisions are available online. Learn about the recently released Advisory Base Flood Elevation maps, the coastal flood risk study under way to update Flood Insurance Rate Maps in New York and New Jersey, FEMA’s Risk MAP program and more through a two-part training session.

FEMA specialists will be at several locations to offer free repair and rebuilding advice. This service will offer information and publications on topics such as: ridding a home of mold and mildew; understanding flood- and wind-resistant building methods; knowing the benefits of flood insurance and elevating or anchoring utilities.

For additional information on rebuilding stronger, visit fema.gov/SandyNJ and click on “Mitigation Resources.”

A series of tax assistance programs will be offered through March to superstorm Sandy victims in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Organized by the Treasury Department’s Division of Taxation to help individuals and businesses prepare 2012 tax returns, the program is supported by the AARP’s Tax-Aide program and the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Experts will help with Sandy-related personal and business losses, how to deal with property tax issues caused by Sandy-related damage and how to recover lost tax documents or reconstruct lost personal or business records. The events will be Thursday at the Ocean County Library branch in Little Egg Harbor, March 9 at the Sea Bright Gym, March 14 in Bradley Beach, March 18 at the Ocean County Library in Toms River and March 26 at the Ocean County Library branch in Brick.

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The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Fund is accepting $250 donations for engraved paving stones to line the memorial walkway. Visit www.njvvmf.cscsg.com to purchase.

MONMOUTH COUNTY

ALLENTOWN: Allentown United Methodist Church is offering a grief and loss support group every Wednesday through March 20. If you would like to attend or have any questions, call the church at 609-259-7392.

ASBURY PARK: The Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County are hosting its annual fundraiser, “A Most Unusual Evening,” at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 9 at Asbury Lanes, 209 Fourth Avenue. The event includes performances from the World Famous Pontani Sisters Burlesque-a-Pades featuring The Brian Newman Trio, live music from local favorite New Life Crisis, a bowling tournament, silent auction, and food and drinks. Tickets are $125 each and available for purchase at bgcmonmouth.org or by calling 732-775-7862.

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS:

AVON: The borough Planning Board is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. March 14.

BELMAR: Tickets are available for the March 10 Belmar Restaurant Tour at www.visitbelmarnj.com, Brandl restaurant and 10th Ave. Burrito in Belmar Plaza. Tickets are $30 through March 9 and $35 the day of the tour. For information, email tourism@boro.belmar.nj.us or call 732-747-4449.

Belmar is accepting the purchases of boards to help rebuild the town’s boardwalk, which consists of 2,800 pilings, half a million screws, and 14,000 boards. To purchase, visit www.belmar.com.

BRADLEY BEACH: The Bradley Beach Memorial Weekend Festival is looking for vendors to participate in the two-day celebration May 25 and 26. Early registration costs for nonfood vendors and food vendors are: prior to Friday, $125 and $225, respectively; from Saturday to May 1, $160 and $250, respectively; and after May 1, $185 and $275, respectively. Applications are available at www.bradleybeachon- line.com or by email at mwhile@monmouth.com. Prepaid reserved parking at the North End beachfront lot also is available at $30 for two days. The Fire Department’s Fishing Flea Market will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. March 23 at the Bradley Beach Firehouse, 815 Main St.The Municipal Court has relocated to the Neptune City municipal complex, 106 W. Sylvania Ave., Neptune City. The new phone number is 732-775-1690.

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ENGLISHTOWN: The borough is accepting applications for the available commuter spaces in the Hamilton Street municipal parking lot. Spaces are given on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is $120. Call 732-446-9235 for information or download an application on the borough’s website at www.englishtownnj.com.

HAZLET:The township is looking to fill a part-time municipal administrator position, as posted on its website. Those interested should send a resume and cover letter, including salary history and requirements to Nancy Pendle, municipal administrator’s position, Township of Hazlet, 1766 Union Ave., Hazlet, NJ 07730.

North Centerville Fire Company will host a St. Patrick’s Day party 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. March 16. Tickets, which include food, beer and wine, are $35 or a table of 10 is $300. All proceeds from the event go toward the construction of The North Centerville Fire Company 9/11 Memorial. For more information, call 732-264-9404 ext. 6.

HOLMDEL: Holmdel Community Church at 40 W. Main St. will host a roast turkey dinner March 9. Seating will begin at 4 p.m. and then each hour afterward. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $8 for children under 12. Take-out meals will be available for $15 each. Reservations are necessary. Contact Sharon Wessel to order at 732-431-2372 or by emailing swe456ssel@aol.com.

The fifth annual Walk4Friendship, hosted by the Friendship Circle, a Manalapan-based organization advocating for children with special needs, is planned Sunday, April 28. The event kicks off at 1 p.m. at the Vonage Corporate Center, 23 Main Street. It includes a fair with inflatable bounces, rides and an open-air booth market, a performance by the Cirque-Tacular acrobats and a variety of food. For information, visit www.walk4friends.com.

KEANSBURG: The demolition and construction material final cutoff date is April 15. After April 15, homeowners will be responsible for all demolition and construction removal.The school district is providing weekly parent and guardian support groups to assist families devastated by superstorm Sandy. The group meets at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesdays in the School-Based Youth Service Program office in Trailer 7 behind Keansburg High School. For more information, call Therese Hendrickson at 732-787-2007 ext. 2550. Keansburg residents impacted by Sandy can visit www.keansburgboro.com or the municipal building to pick up applications to apply for assistance from the Robin Hood Foundation.

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KEYPORT: A St. Patrick’s Day party will be held 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 11 at the Keyport First Aid Building. The event includes entertainment and a lunch buffet and entertainment by Kevin Westley. For more information, call 732-264-4916.

LAKECOMO: The borough has established the Lake Como Relief Fund to provide assistance. Donations may be made at www.lakecomonj.org. Residents in need should call Borough Administrator Louise Mekosh at 732-681-3232.

LITTLE SILVER: The New Jersey League of Municipalities and Mayor Robert C. Neff Jr. are presenting a scholarship opportunity for high school seniors and juniors from Little Silver. Contestants will fill out a half-page form and write a 500-word essay on “What My Mayor and Governing Body Do Best” for a chance at a $1,000 scholarship. Entries are due at borough hall by March 8. Forms will be available at borough hall or online at www.littlesilver.org.

LOCHARBOUR: Village Beach Club applications for this summer are available on the village’s website. Applications postmarked before Friday or hand-delivered before March 8 will be returned.

LONG BRANCH: The City Council is scheduled to meet March 12 with the workshop meeting starting at 6 p.m. and the regular meeting starting at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the municipal buidling, 344 Broadway.

MANALAPAN: Covered Bridge residents are holding an event March 23 as a thank-you to those who volunteered during last year’s blackout from Sandy. The event will begin at 3 p.m. in the ballroom, and volunteers will be recognized with certificates. The group will also recognize first responders and the Township Committee for their efforts during Sandy. Parents of youth volunteers are also invited. Music, pizza and soda will be available. For more information, call President of Home Owners of Covered Bridge Bob Epstein at 732-536-0071 or email thehocb@aol.com.

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The Manalapan Township Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Manalapan MRC-CERT want to urge all residents who have special needs that may make it difficult to get to safety with family or friends or to a public shelter during an emergency to register into a statewide registry. This registry — the NJ Special Needs Registry — will enable emergency responders at the state, county and local level to locate and safely evacuate people who may struggle to do so on their own.

MANASQUAN:The sand-sifting operations will continue until April along the beach and public right-of-way west of the beach walk macadam. The borough is asking that people with sand do not place it along the borough right of way along or on the beach during this time. Questions regarding this process, or when or where you can dump sand can be sent by email to HurricaneSandy@manasquan-nj.com.

The Environmental Commission is sponsoring a workshop to build rain barrels on from 6 to 8 p.m. March 21 at the Manasquan Recreational Center Annex, 67 Atlantic Ave. Cost is $45 per barrel. For registration and more information, visit www.water.rutgers.edu.

MARLBORO: The Marlboro Jewish Center will host an afternoon of Jewish music on April 28 at 4 p.m. The New Jersey Cantors Concert Ensemble, two chapters of the teen choir Hazamir, Nancy and Wayne Beller-Krieger, the MJ Adult Choir, the MJC Religious School children and the Solomon Schechter Day School Choir will perform. Advance tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for senior citizens and teenagers. At the door, the costs are $20 and $15, respectively. Those under 13 can enter free. The concert will be at 103 School Road West. More information is avaialble by calling 732-536-2300 or by emailing cantorkrieger@mjcnj.com.

MATAWAN: The Matawan Regional High School student council will be hosting a charity volleyball tournament at 6:30 p.m. March 8 in the main gymnasium to raise money for Restore the Bayshore. The event is a collaborative effort between the student council, Matawan and Aberdeen police locals 179 and 163. Admission is $3 per person. Contact mkomito@marsd.k12.nj.us for more information.

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Washington Engine Company No. 1 will be hosting the third annual New Jersey’s shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 15. The parade starts at 6 p.m. and the ends with a party at 6:05 p.m. Corned Beef, cabbage, and potatoes will be served for $6. There will be music in the downstairs lounge starting at 4 p.m. For more information call 908-601-1243.

MIDDLETOWN: The Middletown Disaster Relief Fund, an independent non-profit organization aimed to help residents impacted by Sandy, will distribute $200,000 of Home Depot grants to help in the rebuilding process for severely affected residents of North Middletown, Port Monmouth, Belford and Leonardo. Qualifying residents may apply for grants up to $1,000. To qualify, applicants must be from one of the four areas mentioned, have sustained damage of at least $50,000 (contents excluded) to their primary residence, and must provide a determination letter from Middletown Township stating substantial damage and mandatory compliance under the regulations of NFIP. Applications will be accepted started March 1 and the deadline to apply is March 31. Applications are available at www.middletownrelief.com and can be mailed to Middletown Disaster Relief Fund, PO Box 4068, Middletown, NJ, 07748. For more information, email middletownrelief@gmail.com.

Newman Springs Dental Care is offering two $500 scholarships for Middletown Township High School North and South graduating seniors planning careers in health care. This includes medicine, nursing, dentistry, chiropractic, physical therapy and other areas of health care. Scholarship applications have been sent to the high school guidance departments and also are available via email: scholarship@DrFriedman.biz. Completed applications are due by April 16. Winning applicants will be notified by mail or phone no later than May 1.The Parish of St. Mary will offer a free family Lenten Mission, “Hope and Transformation for Families.” The mission will begin at 7 p.m. on March 17 and continue from March 18-20 at 7:30 p.m. at the church, 19 Cherry Tree Farm Road. Further information is available by calling 732-671-0071.

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Members of Christian Brothers Academy’s first graduating class of 1963 will be honored on May 23 during the school’s 2013 graduation ceremony. Those interested in attending the graduation and reuniting with their old schoolmates are encouraged to contact Pat MGann at 908-773-0630 or at pmcgann@cbalincroftnj.org.

Registration for the Monmouth County Park System’s summer camps and swim lessons begins on March 10. The park system offers numerous summer camps tailored to different ages and interests. They include Hunger Games Camp, Just 4 Girlz, Surf’s Up and Camp Manasquan Reservoir. Other summer parks are Avengers Assemble and Kayak Crazy Odyssey. More information about these and other offerings is available in the park system’s camp/swim edition of its program directory, which lists all of its summer camps and swim lessons for children. This issue will be available in most county parks on Friday. Information also will be available online at www.monmouthcountyparks.com. Phone registration for camps and swim lessons start noon to 4 p.m. March 10, and online registration also starts at noon. To register by phone with a VISA, MasterCard or Discover card, call 732-842-4000, ext. 1. To register online, visit the park system’s website. After March 10, registration can be done online, by phone, by mail or in person at the Thompson park Headquarters Building, Newman Springs Road in the Lincroft section of Middletown from 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays. You may register family members only.

Regal Pointe Independent Living is holding a St. Patrick’s Day party at noon on Saturday, March 16. It will include a lunch of corned beef and cabbage, boiled potatoes and green beer. Joey Sudyka will perform Irish tunes. The event is free, though seating is limited. RSVP by March 13 by calling Linda or Elaine at 732-957-0083.

Gateway National Recreation Area’s Sandy Hook campground will reopen May 1. Three beach areas — B, Gunnison and North Beach — will open Memorial Day weekend. Some beach areas may have temporary restroom facilities since repairs to the wastewater treatment plant will not be completed in time. The ferry service and bike path repairs at Sandy Hook also may not be completed by Memorial Day weekend.

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SoleXChange, a buy / sell /exchange high demand sneaker forum, will host a sneaker exchange convention at Brookdale Community College on April 7 where young people can rent tables to sell or exchange their collectable kicks. The tradeshow will also offer educational classes teaching students and adults the art of the hustle in buying and selling high profile ‘kicks’ and negotiating the deal on a hand shake and your word. Susie Howard of Marlboro owns part interest in SoleXChange.

MILLSTONE: The township Board of Education has rescheduled its March 18 regular meeting to March 21. The location is the Middle School Media Center at 5 Dawson Court.

NEPTUNE: The Township Committee approved the extension of no-fee building and elevation permits for residential and commercial properties damaged by superstorm Sandy and the October snowstorm. All residential and commercial property owners and commercial business owners have until close of business on Mar. 28 to begin the permitting process. No-fee building and elevation permits are for storm-related damages and elevation of structures. Those property or business owners, who contemplate new work, additions, expansion of structures, or the installation of emergency power generator sets, will be required to pay for such permits. There will be no further extension of the no-fee permit program.

NEPTUNECITY: The mayor and council will meet at 7 p.m. March 11

OCEANPORT: Borough officials are reminding residents that building material including doors and wooden fences are not picked up by either the Trash contractor or Public Works. Building materials are not considered bulk. Building materials are anything used to construct the home such as cabinets, vanities, sheetrock, tile, wood, windows, doors, etc. Construction debris, wood, windows or doors will not be collected and cannot be placed at the curb with your bulk. Most of the above items may be brought to the Monmouth County Reclamation Center located off of Shafto Road in Tinton Falls. For more information on disposal hours and cost you may call the Monmouth County Reclamation Center at 732-683-8686. Contractors are also responsible for removal and disposal of their debris.

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OCEANPORT: The townwide scavenger hunt will be held between 8 a.m. and noon March 9. Teams of two to four people will travel by car throughout the borough taking photos of specific locations and answering questions. The first place winning team will receive $750. Second place will receive $150 and third place will receive $100. For rules and information, visit www.oceanportboro.com.

OCEANTOWNSHIP: The Historical Museum will kick off its 2013 program season at 7:15 p.m. March 12 with a presentation “The Lenape Indians of the Jersey Shore.” The program will be held at the Old Oakhurst School Auditorium, 163 Monmouth Road. The free event is open to the public, and refreshments will be served. Donations always are appreciated. Please bring a nonperishable item for The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

Registration for youth summer recreation programs at the Oakhurst Meeting room, West Park Recreation Center, Municipal Gymnasium and the Ocean Community Pool and Tennis Facility is available now. For information, visit www.oceantwp.org.

RED BANK: The community garden on Marion Street is preparing to lease plots to borough residents for the 2013 growing season. Applications are available on the borough’s website, www.redbanknj.org under the Parks and Recreation Department forms link. It also may be obtained in person at the Parks and Recreation Department office on the second floor of the borough hall, 90 Monmouth St. Completed applications are being accepted and will be approved on a first-serve basis to borough residents only. The fee to lease a plot for one growing season is $25 and must accompany the application. Multiple sizes are available. Plot sponsorships are also available.

RUMSON: The 11th annual Hoops for Horizons 3-on-3 basketball tournament will be held March 8 and 9 at Rumson Country Day School. The event benefits the Horizons Student Enrichment Program and is being held this year in honor of Albert E. Martin Jr., the Red Bank Regional High School senior who died in December. Rumson Recreation has a new website at www.rumsonrec.org. The new site contains news, forms and information regarding the offered programs.The kickoff to the upcoming Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade will start Friday March 1 when parade grand marshal Tim McLoone hits the switch to start a laser light show and illuminate trees in Victory Park. The event will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Rumson Mayor John Ekdahl will read the official Parade Proclamation, and an Irish flag will be raised to mark the countdown to Sunday, March 10 Parade. The tree will remain illuminated by laser lights every night through March 18.

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Rumson’s first St. Patrick’s Day Parade will begin at 1 p.m. on March 10, rain or shine. The parade will stage at Victory Park, proceed to East River Road, turn right onto Carton Street and end at the Forrestdale School.

SEA GIRT: The next coffee with the mayor at the firehouse will be at 10 a.m. March 23.

UNIONBEACH: A tree-planting ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. March 9 near the corner of Jersey Avenue and Shore Road. A new 14-foot tree will be replacing the artificial Christmas tree that was washed up near the intersection as a result of superstorm Sandy. The tree has become a symbol of hope for its residents. The “tree of hope,” as it has been named by residents, represents the resilience of the community in the aftermath of the storm and the rebuilding of the borough. The event is open to the public.

Those wishing to donate items to the borough can do so by contacting borough hall. Items needed include shovels, rakes, gloves, traffic vests, hammers sheetrock and other items. Call 732-264-2277.

WALL: The Wall Township Environmental Advisory Committee is seeking volunteers – both residents and students - for a clean up of Wreck Pond on Route 71.

The clean-up is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Saturday March 9 with a rain date of Sunday.

Volunteers are asked to bring gardening gloves. If necessary, the WTEAC will provide gloves on loan. No sign up is required. Volunteers will meet up at the parking lot on Rt. 71, Spring Lake Heights next to the pond.

Call 732-938-3550 for more information.

The Wall Township Community Alliance Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2013 Citizen of the Year Award. The Citizen of the Year Award is presented annually to an individual who has performed outstanding service or made exceptional voluntary contributions to the community. The deadline for nominations is March 15. Call 732-820-4792 for more information. Police Unity Tour Chapter II Team Monmouth County will host its second annual fundraiser 4 to 8 p.m. March 9 at Bar Anticipation in Lake Como. Presale event tickets cost $30. The Police Unity Tour raises awareness about police officers who have died in the line of duty and monetary support for the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial, Memorial Fund and Museum in Washington D.C. Organizers are looking for sponsors and gift baskets. Raffle tickets, which cost $10, and long-sleeve T-shirts, which cost $20, are available to purchase. Contact Joseph Wilbert at jwilbert@wallpolice.org or 732-449-8774, ext. 1135.

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WEST LONG BRANCH:

OCEAN COUNTY

The Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster recovery centers located at the Brick Township Civic Center, Little Egg Harbor Senior Center, Union Beach Municipal Building, and BellCrest Plaza in Toms River are closing at the end of the week due to a declining number of individuals seeking assistance there. The center located in the Ocean County Southern Resource Center, 179A South Main Street, Manahawkin, remains open through March 9. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

New Jersey Theatre Alliance’s “Stages Festival” will host seven programs at 10 Ocean County Library branches in March to mark the 16th anniversary of the library’s partnership with the Alliance. The festival offers professional performance programs to communities throughout the month for free. For a complete list of programs and to register, visit, www.theoceancountylibrary.org.The Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster recovery centers located at the Brick Township Civic Center, Little Egg Harbor Senior Center, Union Beach Municipal Building, and BellCrest Plaza in Toms River are closing at the end of the week because of a declining number of individuals seeking assistance there. The center located in the Ocean County Southern Resource Center, 179A South Main Street, Manahawkin, remains open through March 9. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

BARNEGAT: The Water/Sewer Department will soon begin routine sewer main cleaning and video inspections in the Windward Section and on West Bay Avenue, west of the Garden State Parkway in the township. Work will continue for about three months.

Barnegat officials will submit a letter of intent to the county by March 22 declaring the township’s intent to participate in FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Program. For information, visit www.barnegat.net/fema.

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BAY HEAD: Toyota plans to donate the use of a 4Runner to Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church to help with transportation and local cleanup. Another 18 Toyota vehicles are being donated to the region’s American Red Cross to support relief efforts through transportation for a year.

BEACH HAVEN: Businesses open and running in the borough should contact Deputy Clerk Lauren Rohrer at 609-492-0111.

BERKELEY: Karen’s Krew, a Relay for Life team, will hold a pasta buffet to benefit the American Cancer Society from 5 to 8 p.m. March 15. The event will be in the recreation center at 630 Atlantic City Blvd. Donations are $10 for adults, $5 for children. Buffet includes pasta with sauces, salad, beverage, bread and dessert. For more information, contact Pat Nardone at 973-699-0437 or email pnardone1@comcast.net.

BRICK: Brick Township Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for its Educational Foundation scholarship. The scholarship is open to both adults and graduating high school seniors who are members of the chamber of commerce, employees of chamber members and their children. The application and requirements are online at www.brickchamber.com. The deadline is April 5.

The Policemen’s Benevolent Association will hold its 23rd annual “Helping Hands Benefit” basketball game March 22. The game, played against the Brick Township Green Dragon Football Team, will benefit the family of a local girl battling a serious illness. Five-year-old Mikaela Magner has Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, which is a rare and severe form of childhood-onset epilepsy, and can have as many as 50 to 100 seizures a day, according to event organizers. The game begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Brick Township High School East gym. Tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for students. The PBA will accept donations for the family by mail at: PBA Local 230, PO Box 1067, Brick, NJ 08723, c/o Officer Richard Nelson Jr. Checks can be made payable to the “Helping Hands Fund.”

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The Barbara Forfar Nursing Scholarship Fund, in conjunction with the United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties and River Rock Restaurant and Marina Bar, will sponsor “Rock for the Nurses — Rock for the Shore” from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 21 at River Rock’s 1600 Route 70 location in Brick. For information about the fund and the event, visit www.forfarscholarship. org.

JACKSON: The Jackson Friends of the Library will sell books from April 27 to May 4 to benefit the library. The sale will run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on April 27 and May 3 to 4 and from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on April 29 to May 2 at the library, 2 Jackson Drive.

LACEY: The Lacey Elks Lodge will host a Easter egg hunt and breakfast on March 17 at the lodge, 900 Beach Blvd. Breakfast will be served from 9 to 11 a.m. The egg hunt will begin at 11. Admission is $6 per person and children ages 10 and younger eat free. The event will be held rain or shine. in rain or clear weather.

Lacey Elks Lodge 2518 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will host the “Elks Run For The Heroes” a 5k and a one-mile fun run/walk on March 23. Both runs will be held to benefit causes supported by the Lacey Elks’ Charitable Committee. The 5k is scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m., while the one-mile run/walk will start at 9:30 a.m. For more information about the event or to become a sponsor visit http://www.laceyelksrun.com.

BERNINA of America, the premier manufacturer of sewing, embroidery and quilting machines, has announced that Quilting Possibilities is seeking volunteers to participate in its next quarterly Pillowcase Sew-In on March 9 to benefit local children’s hospitals. The event will take place at Quilting Possibilities, 918 Lacey Road, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. All completed pillowcases will be donated to ConKerr Cancer, an international organization dedicated to providing sick children with cheerful pillowcases to brighten their hospital rooms.

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LAKEHURST: A newly formed Ocean County real estate business venture kicks off at 1 p.m. March 10 with a live B98.5 radio broadcast from Tipperary Pub. The public is invited to participate from 3 to 5 p.m., when prize giveaways will be distributed.

LAKEWOOD: .The next regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting will be March 14. The public portion opens at 8 p.m. Anyone wishing to address the board is asked to sign a sheet at the door at the beginning of the meeting.

Ocean County Library’s Lakewood branch, 301 Lexington Ave., will host a seven-session class to prepare people for the test for US citizenship. This class is for adults, ages 18 and older who have lawful and continuous permanent residency in the United States for a minimum of five years. Attendees should have been physically present in the United States for 30 months, with at least three months living in the same state or district. The class will be held on Wednesdays April 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the branch. It is free of charge. Registration is required and begins March 11. For more information or to register, please contact Richard Potter, senior librarian, at (732) 363-1435 or rpotter@theoceancountylibrary.org

The Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation will hold a bumper-bowling program for families of children ages 3 to 5 at Brunswick Lakewood Lanes, 101 Locust St. Registration is $10 per child or adult for the program, which runs from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fridays through March 15. To register, send a check made payable to the “County of Ocean” to Ocean County Parks and Recreation, 1198 Bandon Road, Toms River, NJ 08753. Provide name, address and daytime telephone number, along with program number 433332-3A when registering.

LAVALLETTE: For residents who have sections of boardwalk on their properties that cannot be removed, the borough may be able to assist through FEMA’s authorization for municipalities to adopt an Emergency Debris Removal from Private Property program. In order for the borough to consider the adoption of the program, an assessment of need must be conducted. Residents should fill out the Right-of-Entry form on the website and return or mail it to the borough at Borough of Lavallette, 1306 Grand Central Ave., Lavallette, NJ 08735 or hand-delivered to the administrative trailer located in the Fire Department parking lot.

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LITTLE EGG HARBOR: The Board of Education plans to present a final budget plan to the public at 7 p.m. March 27 at a public hearing held at the elementary school.

To sign up for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, you can sign up at the Construction Office (665 Radio Road) or by emailing the Assistant Business Administrator at mfromosky@leht.com with your name, address and telephone number, and whether you intend to elevate or relocate your home, no later than March 15.

FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at the Senior Center, 641 Radio Road will remain open until April 1st. It is a readily accessible facility or mobile office where you can go for information about FEMA or other disaster assistance programs, apply in person for disaster assistance, or for questions related to your case. Residents are encouraged to utilize this resource while it is still available.

LONG BEACHTOWNSHIP: Construction debris is no longer picked up by the town and must be stored in approved containers when placed outside.

The Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences will hold a series of interactive science lectures designed around the most urgent environmental problems facing the world today. Experts will lead the “Science Saturdays” from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturdays from March 16 to April 20 at the Foundation’s headquarters, 120 Long Beach Blvd., Loveladies. Some of the lectures will be repeated the same day at 1:30 p.m. at the New Jersey Maritime Museum, 528 Dock Road, Beach Haven. Lectures are $5 per person, $10 per family, or free to foundation members. For a detailed schedule, visit www.LBIFoundation.org or call 609-494-1241. Information is also available at www.facebook.com/LBIFAS.

MANTOLOKING: The 8th annual PBA No. 347 Bay Head/Mantoloking fundraiser is scheduled April 14. The event is an indoor/outdoor pig roast and barbecue with an open bar, 50/50 and other raffles, T-shirts and more. The Mike Dalton Band will provide entertainment. Cost is $60 per person, which includes all-you-can-eat and the open bar. The event is 2 to 6 p.m. at Idle Hour in Point Pleasant. Tickets are available from PBA members or Shore 2 Recover, info@shore2recover.com or 848-221-4193.

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The Borough Police Department’s new phone numbers are 732-295-1465 (answered by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, 24/7), 732-295-1401 (answered in the borough 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday) and 732-295-1469 (fax). 911 is for emergencies only.

OCEAN GATE: Mayor Paul J. Kennedy announced the Robin Hood Foundation has given $300,000 to borough residents who have been affected by superstorm Sandy. The money will be distributed through the New Jersey nonprofit organization Hometown Heroes. The grant funds come with specific requirements that must be met. An application process will take place soon and will be available through Hometown Heroes’ website and its office. The Hometown Heroes website is www.NJhometownheroes.org. They can be reached at 732-473-9400. For any other information, email Kennedy at Ogmayor@verizon.net or call 732-269-3166, ext. 28.

PLUMSTED: Discount cards good for a variety of local businesses are now available for $10, while supplies last. Proceeds support a new playground to be built at the recreation fields at Brynmore and Brindletown roads. To order, contact plumstedplayground@gmail.com.

POINT PLEASANT: The Point Pleasant High School PTO is sponsoring “A Taste of Point” fundraiser from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 24. Participating restaurants include The Offshore, Forte, The Shore House and the Ark, which will showcase their favorite menu selections for ticket holders to sample. A cash bar is offered at all locations. Proceeds benefit Project Graduation and the high school’s PTO Scholarship Fund. A 50/50 raffle is also planned at each location. Brigg’s Taxi will provide discounted fares for ticket holders. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. For tickets or more information, call Marcie Bradley at 732-701-1900, ext. 2314, or Lanelle Cusack at 732-814-8945. Tickets will also be available at the March 13 PTO meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. in the High School Media Center.

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The Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church has been named a Volunteer Village by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, housing groups of short-term volunteer workers from across the country. The church is the first in New Jersey to be so designated, and the second in the total area affected by superstorm Hurricane Sandy. The church has converted the Great Hall of its Education Annex to serve as a dormitory and dining hall for groups of up to 36 volunteer recovery workers after the storm. A section of the Great Hall has been partitioned off to make three sleeping areas, each equipped with bunk beds. Aided by a $25,000 grant from the Robin Hood Foundation of New York City, the church is finalizing plans to construct showers in the building.

The Woman’s Club of Point Pleasant will award a $750 scholarship to a woman returning to college or an accredited postsecondary institution. Deadline for the application is April 1. Applicants must be a resident of Point Pleasant Beach or Point Pleasant Borough and graduated from high school or received a GED five or more years ago. Applications are available by visiting the Guidance Offices of the Point Beach and Borough high schools or by contacting Linda Conroy at 908-902-2741.

POINT PLEASANT BEACH: The Rock for the Nurses-Rock for the Shore, an April 21 benefit initially planned at the River Rock, will now be held at Jenkinson’s, the club on the boardwalk at 300 Ocean Avenue. Doors open at 11 a.m. The benefit will feature 9 Jersey Shore bands, an all-you-can-eat buffet, and other activities, to help victims of superstorm Sandy and the nurses of Ocean Medical Center. Cost is $30 per person. For more information, visit www.forfarscholarship.org.

Shore 2 Recover has partnered with borough residents Chip and Maura DiCorcia and the Durand Masonic Lodge to continue providing the assistance to local Sandy-impacted residents that the DiCorcia’s have been offering since the first week after the storm. Both groups have formed the Solution Center to welcome volunteers and those seeking help. Homeowners can fill out a Help Request Form. Selected families will receive up to $500 for supplies. For more information, visit the Lodge at 911 Richmond Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach any Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or contact Shore 2 Recover at info@shore2recover.com or 848-221-4193.

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The borough is completing a municipality-wide reassessment of all property for the 2013 tax year. The project is revenue neutral, meaning the purpose is not to raise property taxes. The purpose is to bring the assessed value of all properties within the municipality to market value and to ensure that property assessments are fair and equitable. Property inspections for storm damage have been ongoing since late December and are almost complete. Adjustments for storm damage will be incorporated into the new assessments, and property owners will be notified by mail of their new assessment no later than April 15. The tax appeal deadline will be 45 days after the mailing of the postcards. Property owners are urged not to file tax appeals until they receive their new assessments. The updated assessments will first be calculated as if no damage has occurred. The value will reflect the market value of the property as of Oct. 1 — the annual statutory assessment date in New Jersey. The assessment will then be adjusted to reflect damage sustained from the storm. Assessment reductions for storm damage will be removed when repairs are completed and inspected by the municipality. Property owners should contact the Tax Assessor with any questions regarding the reassessment or storm damage reductions.

SEASIDEHEIGHTS: The deadline to apply for the hazard mitigation program has been extended to March 15, according to the borough’s website.

A seminar on structure elevation is planned at 6 p.m. March 13 in the municipal court room. Only property owners will be admitted. Rod Scott of Mandeville, La., is the presenter. He has years of experience as a contractor rebuilding flood damaged buildings and has worked for several of the largest elevation contractors in America, according to the borough.

SEASIDEPARK: The Seaside Park Republican Organization is currently accepting letters of interest from residents interested in running for two seats on Seaside Park Borough Council in 2013. Those interested can submit a letter of interest and a resume by March 12, 2013, to Seaside Park Republican Club, PO Box 453, Seaside Park, NJ 08752. or via email to brpetersonesq@optonline.net.

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STAFFORD: The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey’s School of Education will hold a free teacher information workshop at 2 p.m. March 15 at Stockton’s Manahawkin Instructional Site, located at 712 E. Bay Ave. The session is for those interested in becoming an elementary or secondary school teacher and explain the path to teacher certification in New Jersey. Participants are asked to bring their transcripts, which will be reviewed and evaluated. For current teachers, a graduate program information session will follow from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Representatives will be present to answer questions and distribute materials on three master’s programs at Stockton: Master of Arts in educational leadership, Master of Arts in education and Master of Arts in instructional technology.

The Friends of the Stafford Library hold a book sale at the Stafford Branch of the Ocean County Library from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the last Friday of each month. For information call 609-597-3381.

The men of southern Ocean County are invited to a free program dedicated to improving their health on March 20 at Southern Ocean Medical Center. Men will take advantage of free health screenings, physician-sponsored lectures and a host of interactive educational displays featuring information on Southern Ocean Medical Center services for men. It’s all part of Southern Ocean Medical Center’s 14th Annual Men’s Health Night on March 20 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the first floor of the Medical Center.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County will hold its 13th annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake April 7 at Playdrome Bowling Center April 14 at Thunderbird Lanes in the Manahawkin section of the township. Bowl For Kids’ Sake is a nationwide fundraising event that helps BBBS agencies put adult mentors into the lives of at-risk children. Sponsorship opportunities are available and range from $50 to $1,500. Contact Sue Sedives at 732-905-5349, for more information.

TOMS RIVER: Stop FEMA Now, a grassroots organization protesting FEMA’s new flood maps, will meet at 3 p.m. Saturday March 9 at the Silverton First Aid Squad, 86 Maine Street in Toms River. The meeting will include remarks from Toms River Council President George Wittman who will also answer questions from attendees

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The Ocean County Historical Society has opened open a new Civil War-era exhibit. The free grand opening for “Answering President Lincoln’s Call: Civil War Volunteers of Ocean County” will be at 7 p.m. in the Pauline Miller Room at 26 Hadley Ave. The exhibit will open until Oct. 18. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month.

Township officials issued an update on service restoration to Barrier Island communities from JCP&L. Once customers complete storm-related repairs to their homes, they will need to have their service reconnected.

The New Jersey Department of Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America will be honoring state Sen. Stephen Sweeney and the Employer Support Guard and Reserve on May 5. This will be the 32nd Annual Breakfast at the Clarion Hotel on Route 37 East in Toms River. Cost is $22 per person for the breakfast.

Birthright of Ocean County has announced that its Toms River office, located at 36 West Water St., has reopened. Birthright, a free and confidential crisis pregnancy service, has served the women of Ocean County for over 35 years. The Toms River office was flooded during superstorm Sandy and was closed for nearly three months while being repaired.

TUCKERTON: U.S. Representative Frank A. LoBiondo, NJ-02, announced that the Tuckerton Fire Company 1 will receive $68,400 in federal funding from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. This will aid them in the areas of operations and safety.

WARETOWN: The township is participating in FEMA’s Flood Hazard Mitigation program. Residents are encouraged to fill out the participation form on the municipal website at www.townshipofocean.org.

The Township Committee meeting is scheduled for March 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the municipal building, 50 Railroad Ave.